Merton

Merton's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in health, religion and jobs.

The population reached nearly 200,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Merton increased by 6.3%, from just under 188,000 to 200,000.

The addition of just under 12,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Merton was home to, on average, 38 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Health improved

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's well-being.

The percentage of Merton residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.1% in 2001 to 3.9% in 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (86%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 73% in 2001. The percentage of Merton residents that described their health as fair decreased from 20% to 11%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 8.3% in 2001 to 5.0% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Merton decreased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Merton, London and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Merton

The number of people in Merton that described themselves as Christian increased from about 120,000 in 2001 to just over 110,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 63% to 56% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across London (from 58% to 48%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in Merton that described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 31,000 in 2001 to just over 41,000 in 2011 (from 17% to 21%). The number of people who described themselves as Muslim increased from about 11,000 to just over 16,000 (from 5.8% to 8.1%).

About 14,000 people (7.9%) did not state their religion, down from just under 15,000 in 2001 (7.0%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Christian in Merton decreased by 7.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Merton by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of self-employment

The percentage of Merton residents that were self-employed increased from 9.2% to 12% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (55%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 57% in 2001. The percentage of Merton residents that were unemployed increased from 3.3% to 4.1%.

The proportion of self-employed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 9.0% in 2001 to 12% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 8.2% to 9.7%.

The rate of self-employment in Merton increased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Merton, London and England that said they were self-employed, March 2001 and March 2011

Relationships in Merton

The percentage of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership changed very little in Merton, while the proportion increased across England.

In Merton, the proportion of single people increased from 39% in 2001 to 40% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion across England increased from 30% to 35%.

Across London, the share of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased from 41% to 44%.

The proportion of married people in Merton remained close to 45%, while the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner increased from 9.0% to 9.5%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was lower than across London

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were single across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Housing in Merton

The percentage of socially rented homes changed very little here, while the proportion fell in nearby Wandsworth.

In Merton, the proportion of social housing stayed close to 14% between the last two censuses. During the same period, the proportion in Wandsworth decreased from 23% to 20%.

Across London, the share of socially rented homes decreased from 26% to 24%.

Private renting in Merton increased from 15% to 25%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 68% to 59%.

The rate of social housing was lower than across London

Percentage of households that that rented socially across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

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